Page 29 of The Lost Prince
That was probably for the best.
After securing a sandwich for myself from the kitchens, I’d almost made it back to our wing when I rounded a corner next to an open window. It was pure luck that someone was already standing right underneath it, gazing out at the massive dome that protected our kingdom from the dragon.
“I’m sorr—”
I shut my mouth, staring stupidly at the queen as I clutched my sandwich to my chest. I’d run straight into the queen, alone and without her guards. The queen went nowhere without her guards. Or so I thought.
For a moment, we simply stared at each other, two dark figures caught trespassing in the night.
“Interesting,” she finally said. “You look very much like him. Though that is to be expected.”
She had to be talking about my father; the king.
I stuck my chin out, deciding it was a compliment.
She snorted, and we existed together as the silence stretched between us.
The urge to do … something was incredibly strong, and she knew it. I could tell by the superior tilt of her lips, and the lazy lowering of the hoods of her eyes. She was a queen, and I was nothing more than a bug under her heavily jeweled foot.
But there was something else. I’d felt it all those years ago in the throne room, only I hadn’t known what it was. After years of study, it was unmistakable.
Magick.
The queen reeked of it.
Dark, oppressive, and heavy.
Magick clung to her like the diamonds on her dress. It was tangy and smoky, and with a jolt I realized I had unconsciously leaned toward it, and her.
The queen jerked back, smugness giving way to a wary indifference. “You do not know what you’re playing with,boy.”
I licked my lips. “Show me.”
Her head tilted to the side, like an animal’s, or more specifically, a predator.
“Your mother hid you away your entire life until you were reaped. You think you know about the world from your time away squirreled in the archives and reading every book your grubby little hands can grab. But what do you actually know about the world you live in?”
I wasn’t afraid of blunt honesty.
“More every day,” I replied brusquely.
One pale eyebrow lifted.
“I know there is a dragon,” I continued. “I have heard him and seen him. But I didn’t have to; I canfeelhim as well. Much like I can feel you.”
It was a risk, being so forward with her. My feelings were confused and hazy. The magick was like a drug calling out to me, and I couldn’t resist. I was ready for a slap, for her to hit me, or even for her to call for the Fireguards to hit me for her.
Instead, she took a large step back, unnerved.
“Youfeelit in me?” she asked dumbly, expression flattening out.
“The magick,” I rushed to explain quickly, eager now that I had an audience, even if it was one I hated. “It’s everywhere around me, but I feel it more strongly in different places. Obviously, I see it in the dragon, but it’s also strong in you. All I wish to do is study magick, and understand it.”
Something shimmered in her eyes for a moment, but it was gone quickly, replaced by cold indifference. “Be careful what you discover, you little rat. Study somethingusefulinstead. Otherwise, you might meet the dragon sooner rather than later.”
She flipped her hair over her shoulder and twirled her dress, disappearing around the corner with a swish of her skirts.
When I killed her, it would be slow and painful.
